Ukrainian Daria Bilodid becomes youngest judo world champion ever

Ukrainian athlete Daria Bilodid became the youngest world champion in judo. She won the world championship in Baku, Azerbaijan aged just 17 years and 11 months.

In the final, the Ukrainian faced the former world champion Funa Tanaki (both performed in the under 48 kg division). Bilodid defeated her opponent in the middle of the fight, effectively using a foot sweep.

Previously, in the semifinal, Bilodid won by beating the Olympic champion Paula Pareto.

The previous age record belonged to Riyoko Tamura, which won the world championship in judo in 1993; she was 18 years and one month old at the time.

Last year, Daria Bilodid won the Judo European Championship; she was 16.